Four years and four pounds ? that’s all that changed since Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez last squared off against one another.
Four years ago, the heavyweight title was splintered, with no clear-cut candidate ready to fill the void Lennox Lewis left behind. The junior lightweight division was loaded with talent, but lacked a true leader. There was no definitive answer to the debate of who was the better fighter between Pacquiao and Marquez. Regardless of who won, the greatest expectation anyone had was for their 12-round featherweight bout in Las Vegas to produce a bona fide Fight of the Year candidate.
So here we are four years later. The heavyweight title remains splintered. Despite the emergence of Wladimir Klitschko as the popular choice for the world’s best heavyweight, we’re still a few fights away from having a true leader to fill the void Lennox Lewis left behind.
The junior lightweight division is loaded with talent ? new talent these days. It still lacks a true leader. Even with one fight in the bank, there is still no definitive answer to the debate of who’s the better fighter between Pacquiao and Marquez.
Regardless of who wins this weekend, the only expectation anyone has is for their 12-round junior lightweight battle in Las Vegas to produce a bona fide Fight of the Year candidate.
The good news is that there’s a strong possibility of two of the four questions being answered this weekend (Saturday, HBO PPV, 9PM ET/6PM PT, live from Las Vegas, NV). With the weight limit of 130 pounds, it’s impossible for the long-awaited Pacquiao-Marquez rematch to produce a heavyweight champion. It is possible, to end the four-year vacancy atop the junior lightweight division, assuming that a winner emerges from this weekend’s matchup, unlike their May 2004 stalemate. We will have an answer to the question of who is the better fighter between the two.
There also stands a strong chance of the rematch finding its way to the Fight of the Year category come late December. Only unlike their first fight, already high expectations are raised not based on their own potential, but due to what’s already occurred in the first ten weeks of 2008.
Prior to their first fight, there was one bout that stood out from the rest when it came to Fight of the Year discussion ? the January 2004 rematch between Scott Pemberton and Omar Sheika on ESPN2. There were some other nice fights and notable occurrences through the first four months of 2004, but nothing that had the boxing world abuzz.
Instead, boxing junkies circled May 8, 2004 on the calendar, counting down the days for Pacquiao and Marquez to meet. If there was any fight that would produce an instant classic for all of the right reasons, this would be the one.
They did. In fact, they surpassed expectations, providing the first true frontrunner for 2004’s Fight of the Year.
The only thing the 12-round donnybrook didn’t provide was an official winner.
Not that it stopped fans from taking up either fighter’s cause. Many argued that Marquez, down three times in the opening round, otherwise served up a boxing lesson from 2-12, easily overcoming the early deficit. Others felt that Pacquiao’s four-point lead after just three minutes was enough to keep him in the lead throughout, that there was no way Marquez won eight or more of the remaining eleven rounds, the only way he could’ve avoided a loss.
Both sides were correct, at least in the eyes of two of the three judges. Scorecards of 115-110 in both directions supported the opposite views of each fighter. Burt Clements had a chance to provide the tie-breaking vote, but instead forgot to study for the final exam.
Unaware of the A.B.C. unified rules allowing 10-6 scoring for three-knockdown rounds, Clements instead scored the opening round 10-7, in accordance with outdated rules for one of the sanctioning bodies. The scoring mishap resulted in a score of 113-113, which resulted in another debate. Pacquiao supporters insisted that without the scoring error, the fight produces a winner. Those who had Marquez winning laugh at the thought of Pacquiao scoring three knockdowns yet still in need of that one extra point in order to win a fight.
The abridged version: the only way to settle the argument is to do it again.
Only when they meet this time, they already have stiff competition in the Fight of the Year category. Fittingly enough, the year’s first entry involves another Marquez ? Juan’s younger brother Rafael, who came thisclose to upending Israel Vazquez in their unforgettable rematch two weekends ago on Showtime.
This past weekend did a great job of maintaining momentum, and also provided 2008 with a new look ? knockouts in high profile main events. Nine weeks into the year, not a single major main event ended inside the distance. Last weekend, the headlining bouts on HBO and Showtime both not only ended early, but in explosive fashions.
David Haye made the first defense of his linear cruiserweight championship with a crushing second-round knockout of Enzo Maccarinelli in London on Showtime. On the other side of the Atlantic, Samuel Peter offering a glimmer of hope for the dysfunctional heavyweight division with his sixth round dispatching of Oleg Maskaev in Mexico in their HBO-televised main event.
Less than an hour before Peter cleaned Maskaev’s clock, Nate Campbell pulled off a huge upset in not only serving Juan Diaz his first defeat, but doing so by beating him at his own game, lifting an array of lightweight straps in the process. That would be the second high-profile upset of this young year, with Carlos Quintana offering a career-best performance a month ago in defying the odds against previously unbeaten welterweight Paul Williams.
Needless to say, there’s been plenty to talk about. Enough to where anything less than a Fight of the Year entrant might result in Pacquiao-Marquez II getting lost in the shuffle, as has been the case in their most recent bouts.
Pacquiao (45-3-2, 35KO) defeated Marco Antonio Barrera for the second time in as many tries when they met last October. It was a rare occasion where a Pacquiao fight would produce a stinker, largely due to Barrera more concerned with going the full twelve than trying to avenge his crushing 2003 knockout loss. Pacquaio danced as hard as he could early, but by his own admission was content with just boxing during the second half, respecting Barrera’s power and not wanting to get caught with anything foolish.
The end result and the twelve rounds that preceded it were very un-Pacquiao like, who had gained major momentum as not just the sport’s most exciting fighter, but quite possibly it’s very best pound-for-pound, at least to those who received to grant such honors to the obvious choice (Floyd Mayweather, Jr.).
Meanwhile, Marquez (48-3-1, 35KO) was regaining a lot of momentum he had previously squandered in the three years following the first fight with Pacquiao, though it was a long road to recovery ? and relevance.
Wins over Orlando Salido and Victor Polo did nothing to keep Marquez’ name in discussion of the sport’s most relevant fighters, but at least he was still winning ? and earning. His troubles really began when his trainer/manager Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain foolishly rejected a high six-figure payday for a potential Pacquiao rematch.
Instead, Team Marquez took a modest $32,000 payday and a trip halfway around the world for a fight against unbeaten Indonesian featherweight Chris John. They viewed the move as an investment into Marquez’ future, but the March 2006 bout failed to provide any dividends, with Marquez returning home with a controversial loss on his record. Gone was his seven-year, 16-fight unbeaten streak, his alphabet title and promoter Top Rank, who severed ties with the fighter, or more specifically his manager.
Despite enduring hard times, Marquez eventually landed on his feet, securing a lucrative contract with Golden Boy Promotions. Two fights into his deal, a chance at redemption and resurrection when he was offered a long-coveted fight against Marco Antonio Barrera, who at the time was regarded along with Pacquiao as the world’s top two junior lightweights.
Twelve rounds later, Marquez reshuffled the junior lightweight deck, overcoming a knockdown that was never called to thoroughly outbox his Mexican rival en route to a well-earned unanimous decision. As winning cures many things, Marquez’ name was once again discussed among the very best in the sport today.
Though his 12-round virtual shutout against Rocky Juarez this past November added little to his list of accomplishments, it helped to continually press the issue of a long-overdue rematch with Pacquiao, whose handlers seemed to be looking in any direction but Marquez’.
All of that finally changed late last year, when the two sides agreed to terms for a March PPV date, which leads us to this weekend. Securing the matchup isn’t enough to satisfy the masses. What boxing fans witnessed four years ago, they expect to see again this time ? only this time, a conclusive winner is in demand.
Four years and four pounds doesn’t change that desire.
PAVLIK-TAYLOR II THIS UNDER CARD IS NOT
The main events for this weekend and last month’s Kelly Pavlik/Jermain Taylor rematch are/were both attached with high expectations, but that’s where comparisons end between the two PPV telecasts. Pavlik-Taylor II was supported by one of the better PPV under cards in recent memory. Pac-Marquez II; not so much.
The best under card fight of the night might be the televised opener, with lightweight titlist David Diaz taking on Ramon Montano. The bout is intended as a Diaz showcase slot, as the gritty Chicago-based brawler is being groomed for a possible showdown against the winner of the main event, though specifically Pacquiao and the large amounts of cash (and respect) that comes with such a fight.
Of course, such a fight would be contingent upon Diaz and Pacquiao not only winning, but escaping from their fights relatively unscathed. Diaz’ chances of winning ? very good, by the way ? are much greater than the possibility of him leaving without a scratch. His career-best win over Erik Morales last August is all the proof you need that defense is something of a rumor for Diaz, who loves a brawl as much as the next guy.
A brawl he shall receive, as Montano can go some rounds. He’s yet to score a knockout in 17 fights, but has only visited the canvas once. That came early last year against murderous punching Americo Santos, in a fight where Montano recovered well enough to score a split decision in a minor upset.
Look for Diaz to win in impressive and entertaining fashion, but for his face to cause enough concern for Top Rank in lining up a potential summer clash with Pacquiao ? IF Pacquiao beats Marquez in the main event.
Also look for the bout to be the only noteworthy entrant among an otherwise ho-hum undercard that includes showcase bouts for undefeated bantamweight prospect Abner Mares and Top 10 featherweight Steve Luevano.
Mares, who impressed boxing fans in his HBO Boxing After Dark debut last November again Damian Marchiano, squares off against Diosdado Gabi in a 12-round bantamweight bout. Luevano, who also appeared on Pacquiao’s PPV win over Barrera last October, lands the evening’s chief support slot as he takes on Terdsak Jandaeng in a 12-round affair with a featherweight alphabet title at stake.
The show, which airs live from the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada, comes with a suggested price tag of $49.95 ($59.95 for those ordering in High-Definition).
SHOWTIME AND HBO IN PERFECT SYNC
The last time Showtime and HBO went head-to-head with boxing telecasts, fans were able to take in all of the action without having to go the TiVo route. Robert Guerrero’s 1st round knockout of Martin Honorio in the November ’07 Showtime opener allowed fans to immediately jump over to HBO, where the introductions were completed but the action between Joe Calzaghe and Mikkel Kessler was just about to begin.
By the time they read the scorecards for Calzaghe-Kessler, Juan Manuel Marquez and Rocky Juarez made their way to the ring for their Showtime main event.
Such symmetry was enjoyed this past weekend, when the threat of a head-to-head telecast conflict was averted thanks to an early knockout. This time, it was David Haye providing the dynamite, blitzing through Enzo Maccarinelli in less than two full rounds of cruiserweight action. The quickie result gave fans the opportunity to jump over to HBO, where they were able to catch the televised doubleheader without interruption.
Fans weren’t disappointed, as the co-feature provided a major upset, with Nate Campbell turning back to clock to outwork, outbox, outbrawl and eventually outpoint previously undefeated Juan Diaz, regarded by many as the world’s best lightweight going in.
Sam Peter kept the momentum going, rocking Oleg Maskaev’s world before exuding an intelligent exit strategy in knocking out the transplanted Russian in six rounds of (gasp) entertaining heavyweight action.
Interesting to see if we receive such cooperation on April 12, with both networks airing doubleheaders in a night that can be essentially dubbed Miguel Cotto-Antonio Tarver III; it’s the third straight year the two find themselves on opposing broadcasts.
THOSE WHO WORK IN GLASS BROADCAST BOOTHS SHOULDN’T THROW STONES
Oddly enough, the only thing not in sync Saturday night was the HBO broadcast, which spent much of the night complaining about open scoring and the inexperienced ring announcer who worked the show that evening.
Head blow-by-blow man Jim Lampley had no qualms airing his grievances throughout the telecast. Only he forgot to keep his own house intact. Way too much of the telecast was spent with the three-man team talking over one another ? Emanuel Steward beginning a thought, Lampley screaming over him, Kellerman attempting wrap up a thought, Lampley once again jumping in.
Naturally, the action comes before the commentary. But at the same time, the broadcast team at least needs to pretend to be on the same page. Steward sounding puzzled when Kellerman and Lampley pitch their bitches about the sanctioning bodies is the sort of stuff that needs to be sorted out during pre-fight board room meetings. Not that it’s necessary for everyone to share the same thoughts ? but at least be on the same page when the conversation surfaces.
Last, and possibly least, the shameful plugging of Samuel Peter as the absolute next in line for Wladimir Klitschko bordered on embarrassing. It’s not so much that the final result created hope that a Klitschko-Peter rematch could produce a different ? if not more competitive ? fight than their first; but you can’t begin a broadcast, much less moments before the fight, insisting that a Maskaev win is better for the heavyweight division since it’s been-there, done-that for Klitschko-Peter, then six rounds later act as if the conversation never took place.
Winning may cure many things; apparently it also induces amnesia.
R.I.P THE WIRE ? June 2, 2002 ? March 9, 2008
March 9, 2008. Eleven years after the murder of legendary rapper Notorious B.I.G. (nee Christopher Wallace), the same date produces the end of one of the greatest series in televised history, as The Wire called it a career Sunday night after five seasons on HBO.
The fifth and final season of the Baltimore-based drama series came with its share of criticism, chief among them a rushed feel to it, with the season being reduced from 13 episodes to 10. The finale, though 93 minutes long (the longest episode in the show’s history), had a similar feel, but at the very least showed the makers of The Sopranos how to wrap up a show.
There was no fade to black, no cheesy 80’s song selected to synchronize with each scene while nothing at all happens. Instead, the show managed to pull off the impossible ? offering closure to nearly every character among its monstrous-sized ensemble cast. There was no stone unturned, while at the same time nearly every closing thought also left room for debate.
The show ended simply where it began, both on screen and behind the camera. The Game (referring to the drug trade) remains the same, with only the players changing. Same with the police force, City Hall, and every other facet of Charm City, though the same can be said of any city and any line of work.
In regards to the credits, talented character-actor-turned-director Clark Johnson sat behind the camera for the series’ premiere and the finale, as well as plenty of episodes in between. He also landed a regular role among the ensemble cast this final season, portraying Augustus Haynes, a fictional City Desk Editor for the Baltimore Sun. Anything short of a Best Supporting Actor nod for Johnson this season would be absolutely criminal.
Don’t hold your breath, though; in its previous four seasons, the show ? undoubtedly the best reviewed show of its time, if not all time ? has only received one Emmy nomination. In the words of Isaiah Whitlock Jr’s immortal character Senator Clay Davis, that’s some shameful shee-iiitt right there, partner.
Though sad to see it come to an end, kudos to David Simon for bringing on-screen perfection to our living room on 60 Sunday evenings throughout the past five seasons.
Jake Donovan is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the Tennessee Boxing Advisory Board. Please Jake can be reached for comments at [email protected].
